Béal Átha'n Ghaorthaidh edge out rivals Naomh Abán in Comórtas qualifier cracker

AFTER 80 high-octane minutes, it was Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh who qualified for the 2024 Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta after an absorbing battle with Naomh Abán on Wednesday evening at Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh.  

Normal time couldn’t separate the Muskerry sides, but it was the home team who just did enough in extra time to edge a cracker, 2-14 to 2-12.

The celebrations at the end showed how much it meant for the team in red and black to qualify for the prestigious tournament in nearby Cill na Martra on the June bank holiday weekend.

The large and noisy crowd watched two sides slogging it out, going at it hammer and tongs like there was no tomorrow on what was a fine evening for football with no quarter asked or given. It threatened to boil over on a few occasions with numerous scuffles but in the main experienced referee David Murnane kept lid on things even if both sides complained at some decisions.

Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh were slight favourites coming into this one given they do play in the SAFC, a grade higher than Naomh Abán, and when the dust settled and both sides gingerly walked off the pitch afterwards, the home side did just about deserve it.

For the winners, Conor Lynch hit 0-8 with five coming from play, Daire O'Brien stood out and also netted a goal but it was super sub Ben Shorten who made the difference scoring 1-3, with one point coming from a free. A special mention must go to Cork U20 footballer Ed Myers who was the pick of the bunch for Naomh Abán as he finished up with 0-10 (0-6 f). The hardworking Darragh O’Leary registered 2-1.

The delight on the face of Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh manager Johnny Crowley said it all after a very entertaining contest. He was a happy Kerry man.

“Super win, that was as close to championship as you're going to get,” said the Glenflesk native.

“Naomh Abán came with all guns blazing which we knew they would. They are going very well in Division 4 so momentum is everything especially coming into this evening. It was a great game. We learnt a lot about our players and again going into extra time we had to regroup and settle the team down. Credit to our lads, they dug it out. Great entertainment for the big crowd that was here and that’s what they wanted to see.

“It was super preparation for us in terms of getting ready for the championship as it would for Naomh Abán. They are going to be disappointed as they did a lot of good things. We got our noses in front a couple of times but we just couldn’t push on but that was credit to Naomh Abán. Maybe that experience helped us to eventually get over the line.” 

It was Crowley’s first taste of a Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh v Naomh Abán derby and he was certainly calm and collected on the sideline when others at times were getting excited.

“I knew how important this fixture was as there was a different feel around the place over the last week or so,” he said.

“There was a different vibe and it meant a lot to the club and the supporters this evening to beat the neighbours and to also qualify for the Comórtas. It’s a taster of what is to come down the line. To be honest, we only focused on this qualifier game last week. It really has been game by game. We had a great win here against O’Donovan Rossa last Friday but this one this evening was a different tempo." 

The Comórtas will be held in two just weeks’ time. Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh won't have far to travel.

“Cill na Martra are hosting the tournament. It’s going to be a massive weekend for them,” the former Kerry All-Ireland winner and captain says.

“Our lads wanted to be part of it and to be involved will be brilliant. If we can get one or two quality games that will just build our squad even further. Naomh Abán also wanted to be part of it, so it meant a lot this evening.” 

It’s obvious from Crowley’s voice that he’s loving his time with the Gaeltacht club in what is his first season at the helm. Results help matters with the Mid-Cork outfit upwardly mobile in the McCarthy Insurance Group Division 2 football league.

“Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh love their football. The supporters are mad into it. Everyone has been so welcoming. We have a lot of work to do in terms of tidying up our mistakes. I feel we can make big strides before we go into the championship. We are on the right road.” Crowley concluded.